Sedan needs more sportiness

By Brian Harper, Postmedia News

Originally published: November 10, 2011

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As an auto manufacturer, Hyundai seems to have had the golden touch over the past few years, with unabated record sales, vastly improved reliability and a styling renaissance with every new model or redesign thanks to its “fluidic sculpture” design language.

The sixth-generation Sonata sedan is a prime example. Launched early last year, the mid-sized sedan has garnered acclaim for its bold styling and high content, with strong sales as a result. The only cause for concern, at least among the pundits, was Hyundai’s decision to drop the V6 option from the lineup, relying on a turbocharged four-cylinder as the top engine to power the four-door.

The pundits need not have worried — the 2.0-litre, direct-injected turbo four under the hood of the 2.0T is more than capable of providing the sort of power expected of a six-cylinder. Hyundai’s contention that the motor’s 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque is as or more powerful than its V6 competitors is not mere marketing hype.

My interest, however, is whether or not the Sonata 2.0T has the goods to make it as a sport sedan. Admittedly, this has a rather high percentage of idle curiosity going for it — Hyundai makes no claims to sporting pretensions for the Sonata. On the other hand, the automaker has never had a sport sedan in its lineup, and the halo effect of having such a car in its model mix should not be dismissed, even in these leaner greener times. Plus, the turbo four-banger is as good as any place to start (hey, it works for Audi). The upsides include a silky quiet engine with an attendant improvement in fuel economy (9.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 5.8 L/100 km on the highway, according to Transport Canada). I saw 10.8 L/100 km during my week with the tester, a good percentage of that spent in city traffic.

For those who want to maximize economy rather than explore the car’s performance potential, there is an ActiveEco system that, when engaged, modifies engine and transmission control to smooth out throttle response. In doing so, Hyundai claims that drivers can realize up to a 7% increase in real-world fuel efficiency.

But, even though the 2.0T has reasonably strong acceleration — zero to 100 kilometres an hour in less than seven seconds — its overall comportment is suited more for comfort and cruising than it is for attacking bendy bits with abandon. It takes a fairly stout prod of the pedal to get that oomph, even with the turbo kicking in to provide maximum torque at 1,750 rpm. Using the provided paddle shifters to quicken the six-speed Shiftronic’s operation helps, but it doesn’t quite give the crisp gear changes that would be expected of a sport sedan.

There are fewer concerns regarding the sedan’s electric power steering system, which adjusts quickly to changing driving conditions, although, once off-centre, feels a little numb.

Hyundai went for a balance between ride comfort and handling, using a four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts in the front, a multi-link setup in the rear and dual-flow dampers at all four corners. While the automaker contends the suspension has been optimized to keep the Sonata flat during cornering and provide quick turn-in response, I found it a little soft when negotiating on-ramps at a more aggressive clip, even with a thicker rear stabilizer bar than the base model. On the plus side, electronic stability control and traction control are standard. As for stopping power, the Sonata’s four-wheel disc brakes are augmented by ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

OK, so the 2.0T isn’t going to be tight on a BMW 5 Series’ rear bumper when the tarmac turns twisty. I’ll live with the disappointment since — as I said earlier — Hyundai doesn’t portray the Sonata as a sport sedan (although the components are certainly there if the company wants to do some tweaking). As a family sedan with a bold, aggressive appearance then, the car is by no means hard to live with.

The fully featured cabin of the Limited is as boldly styled as the exterior with a futuristic look to the instrument cluster and centre stack, bright trim work and a fit and finish that would be more than acceptable on cars costing much more. Not content to stand back and admire its work, Hyundai has made some changes to the 2012 model. Heated rear seats, typically found in luxury vehicles, become standard equipment in the Sonata 2.0T. The power sunroof in Limited models has been replaced by a panoramic sunroof, providing an airier feel to what is already a spacious cabin. (The Sonata is classified as a full-sized car by Natural Resources Canada.) And all navigation-equipped models receive a larger high-resolution screen, now seven inches across.

In an area that sees its fair share of Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords plying the streets, I’ve been noticing a lot more Sonatas making the scene. At $32,399, the topline 2.0T fleshes out the lineup (which includes a base model and a hybrid), offering upscale amenities, a sophisticated powertrain and a style that shakes off the conservative image of the family segment. It’s not quite all it could be, but the Sonata 2.0T still more than compensates with what it does offer.